HHS Secretary Alex Azar issued the following statement regarding the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of generic versions of Suboxone, a medication used to treat opioid dependence:

“Medication-assisted treatment is a vital element of the Trump Administration’s work to combat the opioid crisis. We know it is effective, and we know more Americans need access to it. That is why we are so pleased that the FDA has approved generic versions of one medication-assisted treatment option. These approvals will help increase competition, lower cost, and save lives, advancing HHS’s priorities to lower drug prices and combat the opioid epidemic. The efficient and effective work being done by the FDA in approving addiction treatment options is an important part of HHS’s five-point strategy for the opioid crisis and reflects President Trump’s commitment to helping Americans struggling with addiction.”